A vital game for both teams

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia

CRICKET - It's going to be a cracker. The no quarter asked or given clash between Sri Lanka and South Africa for a slot to play Australia in the best of three Victoria Bitter finals beginning in Adelaide on February 10.

The winner of this game would be smiling, while the loser would make a quick exit.

This crucial game in Hobart tomorrow will be the only game to be played in day light. As for the Lankans, they have had a week off from the game. They have been at the gym and in the swim and have been at the nets fine tuning their game and will be determined to stuff the South Africans and enter the finals. If they are successful in this, it would be the second time that they will be playing in the in the finals in the history of this tourney.

When the Lankans arrived here after disastrous tours of India and New Zealand, not many wagered on them to progress in the tourney, considering that they were confronting Australia and South Africa, the number one and two in this form of the game.

But with the arrival of the dashing Sanath Jayasuriya, the team raised their game after a thrashing from the Aussies at the Telstra Dome in the first game, won against the South Africans in Brisbane and did similarly against Australia in Sydney.

But with niggling injuries striking them they have lost the games that followed, but that should not hold them back in this winner takes all game. What the Lankans need to do is to believe in themselves, keep their cool, stay focused and do the simple things required in this style of game and if they do this, there is no reason why they should not be the victors.

Hobart has generally been lucky grounds for the Lankans. The wickets like all wickets in Australia will have the early life and then continue to play easy while the game progresses.

But the captain winning the toss and batting first would certainly be at an advantage. If the side batting first puts up a good score, then it would not be easy for the side chasing to get the runs, because they would be under tremendous pressure, what with having to push on and maintain a certain run rate.

Now that the Lankans have had a week off to polish their rough edges, it is hoped that coach Tom Moody would have put right their ugly side of the game and that is the all important running between the wickets.

In two games they had six run outs, which to say the least was disgraceful. 'Yes' or 'No' is the simple call in running between the wickets and one hope that coach Moody would have hammered this into the Lankans.

As for the Lankans, once again they would be looking to Sanath Jayasuriya to give them the dashing start,for the batsmen of the calibre of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Tillakaratne Dilshan and skipper Marvan Atapattu to consolidate.

Jayasuriya is a batsman in the mould of Australia's Adam Gilchrist. He can take the fight off any opponent and demoralise them with his punishing stroke play. A bit of caution is what he needs once in the run making act.

Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena and Tillakaratne Dilshan have scored a lot of runs and a lot more is required from them. Atapattu must bat with more responsibility. As for opener Jehan Mubarak, somebody would have to wind him up and tell him exactly what to do. Firstly they must tell him that this is not Test cricket.

This being a crunch game, I am sure the selectors would put the best team out, because this game must be won hook or by crook.

That great trier Chaminda Vaas will again have to bowl economically and get the early breakthrough for spinner Muttiah Muralitheran to eat into the opponents' batting. Muralitheran who has now been cleared will be at ease and peace to cause problems in the South African batting camp.

The Lankans have been good on the field, with Dilshan outstanding.

As for the South Africans they will come out firing all cylinders. Captain Greame Smith's poor form with the bat has been their main worry.

However according to the law of averages he is in for a big score, and who knows this could be his game.

They have some hard hitters and they would be relying on Boeta Dippenaar, Herchelle Gibbs, Jaques Rudolph, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Justin Kemp, Shaun Pollock and Van der Wath, all capable batsmen to come good.

Boucher especially has been in splendid form and it was a revelation to see Wath take the Aussie attack and hit it as he did the other day for 4 towering sixes in Sydney. Their bowling is adequate with Pollock to lead them.

All in all it promises to be a do or die game and the team doing the simple things right should be at the winning post.